While women have become more knowledgeable about retirement and insurance products, more of them would like to learn how to generate income in their retirement years.

That's according to Prudential's 2012-2013 study, Financial Experience & Behaviors Among Women, which was based on a poll of 1,410 American women and 604 American men between the ages of 25 and 68.

Fifty-one percent of women polled said they are not knowledgeable about generating income in retirement. Prudential found that women under 35 frequently identify themselves as investment beginners who are less likely to say they feel very well prepared to make wise financial decisions than female baby boomers.  

Ninety-five percent of women polled said they are more involved than ever in their households' investment and financial decision-making.

Despite taking the lead in making those decisions, at 86%, the majority of women said they are not confident about making financial decisions and do not fully understand many of the increasingly sophisticated financial products that are available.

Still, Prudential found that many women are optimistic about the future and have a strong desire for financial education and guidance. When asked about the outlook of the economic recovery, 11% were very optimistic and 44% were somewhat optimistic.